Anyone trimming gear down to a P&S? (Page 7): Hi WINGS42, congratulations on your acquisition. To help through your learning curve you can refer to the Graham Houghton series of videos...

geolaval Loc: Laval, Quebec

wings42 wrote:

Just received the FZ-200 this evening. Delivery was quicker then they promised and all is in the box: camera, lens cap and hood, battery and charger, two CD's, and a startup owners manual. It will be as much to learn as my D7000. Will post as I learn how to use it.

Hi WINGS42, congratulations on your acquisition. To help through your learning curve you can refer to the Graham Houghton series of videos which describe the ins an outs of the FZ200, they are very well done. I found these very useful when I got my FZ200. Here is the link to video 2.... there are about 10 if not more by now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXJnK4uK9Wg I will be interested in your comments about the quality of your photos. I was impressed, but then my previous camera was a Canon SX220 HS P/S and not a D700. I am posting 2 photos that I am quite happy with.

FZ200 at digital 96X (2400mm equiv.)

Some PP to enhance

geolaval Loc: Laval, Quebec

wings42 wrote:

Just received the FZ-200 this evening. Delivery was quicker then they promised and all is in the box: camera, lens cap and hood, battery and charger, two CD's, and a startup owners manual. It will be as much to learn as my D7000. Will post as I learn how to use it.

Sorry second post by mistake.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

geolaval wrote:

Hi WINGS42, congratulations on your acquisition. ... (show quote)

How kind of you. Thanks. I'll start on the videos this morning. Also, I've downloaded the manual from the CD to my Nook reader which is light weight and compact enough to carry in my backpack while walking around.

Took a few pictures with the FZ200 in the house last night and was quite pleased. Regarding my D7000, some of the pictures of birds came out so good I almost couldn't believe I took those shots. Still, some of my old FZ28 pictures made me react the same way. It will be nice not to lug the bulky and heavy D7000 plus telephoto lens around and with its longer reach and advanced electronics I expect the FZ200 to be superior to the D7000 in many ways. The pictures you and other FZ200 users have posted are impressive.

All the attached pictures were taken this year with the Nikon D7000 and either a Tamron 24-270 lens or Nikon 18-200 lens.

California Thrasher - Penesquitos Canyon

Flamingos - San Diego Zoo

Blue Heron - San Diego Bay

geolaval Loc: Laval, Quebec

Very nice.
#1 thrasher must be framed and on one of your walls.

If I had a D700, I would certainly keep it for situations it excels at. Your portraits photos must be excellent with it.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

I have a Nikon D7000. That extra 0 makes a big difference. The D700 is an FX format professional camera. My D7000 is a DX format enthusiast's camera. Not to put it down. It's amazing and a joy to use.

Took your suggestion and spent the morning watching 3 Graham Houghton videos and did some shooting with the FZ200 in IA+ mode, all JPGs this evening. Three Day 1 pictures are below, taken in overcast conditions.The next step when we have time in our busy weekend will be the videos on the P, A, S, and M modes. The first and last pictures would have been beyond my abilities on the D7000 with the lenses I have. The reach and vibration compensation of the FZ200 is amazing. I plan on only using the FZ200 the coming week, but will definitely continue using the D7000. Thanks for all your help.

Hooded Oriole - Backyard

Juvenile Annas Hummer - Backyard

Juvenile California Towee - Scripps Ranch

geolaval Loc: Laval, Quebec

wings42 wrote:

I have a Nikon D7000. That extra 0 makes a big dif... (show quote)

You are welcome. Good photos. As you enjoy bird photography, I am posting one last bird pic and then signing off. Good shooting

home sweet home -our yard

phillsam Loc: De Queen Arkansas

I have been following the exchange between you guys, very refreshing for a change.
I, too, have been lightening my gear, sometimes a FF with a fairly long lens is a burden for an 87 year old, (be 87 in October). I got the SX50, it will suffice for my casual shooting, and does a pretty darn good job at that. I am not a techie, but will try to attach a moon shot taken as the sun came up this morning.

Shot using auto, camera choose everything..

geolaval Loc: Laval, Quebec

phillsam wrote:

I have been following the exchange between you guys, very refreshing for a change.
I, too, have been lightening my gear, sometimes a FF with a fairly long lens is a burden for an 87 year old, (be 87 in October). I got the SX50, it will suffice for my casual shooting, and does a pretty darn good job at that. I am not a techie, but will try to attach a moon shot taken as the sun came up this morning.

Hi Phillsam, the reviews and photos concerning the SX50 are excellent and the one you posted is also. I feel motivated that you are still an active photographer at 87... I assume your moon shot are not handheld... I'm 70 and I need a tripod for these long range photos. I decided to buy the Lumix FZ 200 due to the constant 2.8 throughout the zoom range as well as the Leica lens. Otherwise my first choice would have been the SX50. Please check the store original (on the right) next time you post photos... the EXIF data is interesting when viewing long range zooms. All the best in your endeavors.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I did!

Fixed 35mm Sony RX1, and loving it.

Now I think about light instead of what lens to bolt on at the moment :)

phillsam Loc: De Queen Arkansas

geolaval wrote:

Hi Phillsam, the reviews and photos concerning the... (show quote)

Good tripod a must for me, and I believe anyone else for that matter. And either a shutter remote, or shoot using the timer as I did. Just breath on the camera when it is zoomed this far out, and you move that moon around.
About my age, it might be possible that I am the oldest UHH on here. I became interested in photography as a very young Sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor in early 1944. Didn't know anything about how a camera worked, but ended up with an Argus C3, the brick. Been learning a little and shooting ever since. Still have a Voightlander Vitessa in perfect shape.
I know, stick to the subject in this forum, but being an octogenarian does have some perks, right. Hope JR1 doesn't see this.
Am going to attach the moon shot and check 'store original', didn't know to do that.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

phillsam wrote:

Good tripod a must for me, and I believe anyone el... (show quote)

Great moon picture. I'm just a kid (70 yrs old) and so am trying to get by without a tripod. Our main thing is hiking, walking and sightseeing, and birds. It is getting harder to be very steady as the years roll on but lugging even a monopod around is a pain.

My dad was stationed in Hawaii when you were. He was in the Navy post office, 31 yrs old when he enlisted. I was 4 yrs. old when he first saw me, and me him. He died of old age peacefully in my arms three years ago at age 97.

Are your still riding your trike? I had motorcycles as my only transportation for 20 yrs, then got sick (and scared) of the traffic and all the angry homicidal drivers here in San Diego. Miss the bike a lot, it was our main entertainment till the kids were born.

Thanks for your posts here.

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Good shot. I see from your avatar that you are keeping age at bay. Keep riding strong.

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

I really like your light key photo of the thrasher. Well done.

phillsam Loc: De Queen Arkansas

wings42 wrote:

Great moon picture. I'm just a kid (70 yrs old) an... (show quote)

Yes, still ride, but no touring anymore. Wife of 66 years has Alzheimer's now, so am pretty tied down. Started riding in 1947 after getting out of the Navy, have had a bike ever since.

Any you were four years old before the two of you met, that was the way it was back then. You didn't get to return to the states until the job was finished. And a big thanks for President Truman, he had the guts to use the weapon that ended that one. I reenlisted after the war was over, and after my leave back home, was assigned to a destroyer, the DD770, Lowry. It was in the task force that was called Operation Crossroads, the testing of atomic bombs in July of 1947. I witnessed Test Baker, the underwater explosion. I am attaching a picture of the explosion, and no, I didn't capture this one.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

phillsam wrote:

Yes, still ride, but no touring anymore. Wife of 66 years has Alzheimer's now, so am pretty tied down. Started riding in 1947 after getting out of the Navy, have had a bike ever since.

So sorry about your wife.

Be sure to take care of yourself as part of taking care of her. There is a CD, "Yoga for Caregivers" ( http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Caregivers-Frank-Iszak/dp/B001T5OZ3I ) which can help you physically and healthwise. I'm doing senior yoga with a lady (Helena) who is on the CD. This type of restorative yoga is non-impact, anti stress, and completely non-religious. It helps a lot with aches and pains, stiffness, and reduction in energy. No experience or special equipment beyond a chair is needed.

I wish you and your wife all the best.